Florida A&M University President James Ammons has resigned, the Associated Press reports. The announcement comes the same day the parents of Robert Champion -- the drum major who died in a hazing incident at the school -- added the university to his wrongful-death lawsuit.

James Ammons announced the resignation, which takes effect Oct. 11, in a letter to the chairman of the university's governing board ...

Champion died in November after being beaten by fellow band members during a hazing ritual aboard a bus parked outside an Orlando hotel following a football game against the school's archrival.

Eleven FAMU band members face felony hazing charges, while two others face misdemeanor counts for alleged roles in the hazing. They have pleaded not guilty.

"All experienced university presidents are familiar with two processes they must go through. One is called 'transitioning-in" and the other is called "transitioning-out." My experience with transitioning-in had to be cut short," Ammons wrote in his letter.

Solomon Badger, the chairman of the FAMU board of trustees, said in a statement: "I am saddened by President Ammons' decision to resign, but it is his choice to do so. Given all that has transpired, it seems to be in the best interest of the university and I applaud him for putting FAMU ahead of his personal goals."